A brief summary of the main ideas and concepts with your personal reactions and reflection about them

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s theory is a description of basic human needs, which he saw as influencing every aspect of our behavior. He sought the basic human need into a pyramid diagram he called “hierarchy of needs.” At the bottom of the pyramid, locates the physiological needs (food, air, shelter) that are the most basic human need. Followed by safety need, love and belongingness, and esteem. According to Maslow, the four basic needs are categorize as “deficiency needs,” the most basic need must be fulfilled before higher needs.

However, this diagram is more of an ideal person to me. I don’t think anyone can follow the diagram step by step. There are many people who doesn’t have all the physiological need but still have esteem, which it also drives him to fight for himself. For example, a successful business man, when he was young, he lived in poverty. He has no food of a house to live in, but because he believes in his ability, so he fights to be in this status.



Self-actualization – “the most advanced human need based on the desire to grow and use one’s capacity to the fullest”

Maslow argued that SELF-ACTUALIZING is a drive within us all, "to be the best we can."

If the person does not see the importance of people around them (parents) or their future. For instance, a good son tries to be the best he can, for his own future, and for his family.

MASLOW~ the PIZZA MAN

Maslow’s theory is a combination of various psychodynamic theorists and himself

• Freud’s physiological need,
• Horney’s love and safety,
• Adler’s esteem
• Kurt Goldstein’s self-actualization
• Harlow, taught him the importance of scientific methodology and observation.
• Maslow returned to New York to work with Edward Thorndike.
  

His contacts with Wertheimer and other Gestalt psychologist; led him to see the importance of viewing the whole person